My Gen X Playlist: Anticipation – Carly Simon

Years ago, I went to a college football game with a friend from work. Our schools played each other and it had been awhile since I had been back on campus. I was really excited to go to my favorite college hole in the wall. It was a taco hut down the street from where I used to live. Over the years, the name changed. We used to call it Manny’s but then it became Chano’s. When we pulled up that day, I saw it changed names yet again – El Huero. Even with the name change, it will always be Chano’s to me. As it turns out, I’m not alone.

If you were to walk up and down Figueroa St., you would find a variety of foods from different cultures. Now I can’t vouch for every single restaurant down that street, but I can say that, by first impression, none of them look very appealing. After all, how can they? They’re located in South Central… However, there is at least one eatery that cannot be missed: Chano’s.

Well, actually the giant lighted sign in front of Chano’s heralds the name El Huero (due to a restaurant revamp that included a name change). However, names don’t fade from memory.  People continued to refer to their beloved taco stand by its former name, and the new generations of students continued the tradition, perhaps to show their upperclassman that they too know their taco history.

– ali

This literally is a taco hut on the corner. No indoor seating. You order at the window and you sit at a bunch of picnic tables in the back. One of the best things about this place is it was open all night. Eating in the middle of the night is not good for an old fifty year old, but it’s the best feeling in the world for a twenty year old after closing down the bar. It’s the most delicious food ever.

My friend and I ordered our food. He got a carne asada tacos, I ordered my favorite machaca burrito. We scooched in the benches and began to eat. Maybe I shouldn’t have hyped this place up before we got there. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t great. I’d forgotten how greasy it was. Back when you’re a twenty year old, grease is considered a spice. It’s a preferred flavor. I’m not saying my palate matured drastically since graduation, but I was having trouble with the puddle of grease that sat at the bottom of my stomach well past half-time.

Needless to say, Chano’s lost a little of it’s shine that day. I sent the Chano’s article to my buddy from college just now. His immediate response:

Wow, it’s still around. Nice memory.

And he’s right. Even though it made my stomach pay for a few days, I still love my fond memories of that place. There is nothing like devouring greasy food in the middle of the night. If not then in my twenties, then in the nostalgia in my fifties. At least nostalgia doesn’t affect my waistline. I’ll take that for the win.

Carly Simon released Anticipation in 1971. To be honest, I remember this song more from the ketchup commercial than the radio. Now that commercial is a fun flash from the past.

The song was used in commercials for Heinz Ketchup through the late 1970s into the 1980s.  Simon later stated: “I wasn’t at all displeased with the results. It was well done, and funny.”

– wikipedia

Moral of the story. Sometimes you have to hold back on the hype of something nostalgic. Too much anticipation may not be a good thing. Case in point – yesterday’s flavor can be today’s heart burn. Somethings are best left as a good memory. Don’t touch it. Don’t hug it. Don’t even reach out for a high five. Let it lay comfortably in the feel good section of your brain. If you don’t believe me, check out the movie E.T. again. As a kid, a wonderful heartfelt film. As an adult… well, you fill in the blank.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway
And I wonder if I'm really with you now
Or just chasing after some finer day.

Anticipation, anticipation
Is making me late
Is keeping me waiting

And I tell you how easy it feels to be with you
How right your arms feel around me.
But I, I rehearsed those words just late last night
When I was thinking about how right tonight might be.

Anticipation, anticipation
Is making me late
Is keeping me waiting

And tomorrow we might not be together
I'm no prophet, not I don't know nature's way
So I'll try to see into your eyes right now
And stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days.

These are the good old days
And stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days

These are the good old days 
These are the good old days 
These are the good old days 
These are the good old days